Jimbaran (Indonesia), October 1
A series of near-simultaneous bomb blasts ripped through popular tourist spots on the Indonesian island of Bali today killing at least 32 persons, including several foreign tourists.

Two explosions struck seafood restaurants 100 metres apart in the beachside area of Jimbaran during the evening meal, the police said.

Minutes later at least one blast hit a restaurant in Matahari Square in Kuta, a popular late-night shopping area, said witnesses.

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono condemned the bombings in a televised address: “These are clearly terrorist attacks because the targets were random and public places.”

The attacks came just 11 days before the third anniversary of the bomb attacks on two nightclubs in Kuta, which left 202 persons dead. The bombings were blamed on the Al-Qaida-linked Jemaah Islamiyah Islamic militant group.

A French diplomat, who had visited two hospitals in Bali, said at least 32 persons had been confirmed dead after the latest attacks, which came during the peak tourist season.

An eyewitness, who arrived at the scene in Jimbaran minutes after the explosion, said he saw at least eight bodies, including four foreigners. “There are also lots of body parts,” Bagas Saputra told ElShinta radio.

In Kuta, local resident Dewa Manik said he heard two blasts coming from Raja, a roadside restaurant popular with locals and foreigners. Shattered glass littered bloodied streets around the Matahari Square shopping centre, which had been packed with hundreds of people when the blast went off.

British tourist Daniel Martin told the BBC he was standing in a building next to the restaurant in Kuta when a “tremendous” explosion erupted.

“It was just sheer chaos with no one really taking control,” Martin said, adding “there were no police or anyone else around for a good while. It was everyone itching in to help the wounded. — AFP